@hanhaiwen generously remembered the most popular SocImages post of all time when coming across this insightful observation at 9Gag. Thanks Helga!
@hanhaiwen generously remembered the most popular SocImages post of all time when coming across this insightful observation at 9Gag. Thanks Helga!
Comments 50
CarlosM — July 21, 2013
It's not exactly true. There are many subtelties to men's attire. Down to your wriste buttons, types of neck tie, cut of the vest, etc. Probably much easier to get away with it, though.
Toranosuke — July 21, 2013
This is true - now, what's important is that we discuss, or at least mention, the implications. Are we to focus on the aspect that it's difficult and complicated for women to pick out the appropriate thing to wear for each different occasion? Or the aspect that they get to wear a whole variety of different things, while men are stuck wearing the same, stiff, boring thing all the time? Both are equally valid, interesting, and important, I think....
LittleJo — July 21, 2013
As far as traditional evening dress is concerned, the uniformity of male attire is actually intentional. The point of decking out all of the men in tuxedoes was to emphacize the variety and colour of the women's dress.
Besides, the suit presented isn't actually fit to be worn at a cocktail, a wedding (one's own or another's) graduation. I don't know about the dress code in church but I suspect it would not be optimal either.
JayP — July 22, 2013
Wedding has to be a tuxedo, not a regular suit and tie. In addition, cocktail has slightly more flexibility between tie, bowtie, or no-tie at all. Otherwise, it's pretty much uniform everywhere.
analog2000 — July 22, 2013
I think it shows how women are in a catch-22, if you don't have a large wardrobe, you look out of place and foolish. If you do have a large wardrobe, you are vain and waste money.
Anna — July 22, 2013
Oh, what nonsense. A woman could wear the same charcoal, navy, or black shift dress and a well-cut blazer to each and every one of these events. A few regions have a wedding culture that requires some huge ballgown, but those kind of weddings also require the men to be in tuxedos.
And lest anyone bring up wearing having to wear a trouser suit for a job interview, that is only for very, very conservative work cultures, and even many banks, law firms, and political offices are no longer that stuffy. Not that it matters anyway - it is simply not feasible that people occupying jobs that require a higher education have only one garment, in this case a suit, hanging in their closet. Like, is that hypothetical man in the image, who goes out for cocktails and attends fancy schmancy weddings, only in possession of a singular suit? And if he only owns one suit, is it some magical suit that works in hot and cold weather, and never requires expensive dry-cleaning? And where can I buy it, please?
By the way, it is so much easier to find a reasonably priced dress that looks good and fits well than to find a smart-looking, well-fitting, and affordable suit. And if you don't have much luck finding a perfect fit off-the-rack (which very few people do, when it comes to suits), going for alterations for a suit is more expensive than alterations for a dress. And it's easy to find a dress that does not require dry-cleaning, whereas a suit that can be hand or machine washed is unheard of.
Lastly, women have the choice to wear a trouser suit to all, yes all, of these events (barring that rare creature, the black-tie wedding where men also have to wear tuxes). But men cannot wear dresses anywhere, unless they run in a highly creative industry, social circle, or subculture, and even then they may run into problems. Believe me, even male goths who wear skirts regularly and don't give a shit what people think of them still can't wear their usual garb to many of these events. Men only have dull and limited sartorial choices, whereas women have the choice to be minimalist or to have a wide array of options in their wardrobes.
mimimur — July 22, 2013
As someone who goes soft butch from time to time, I was rather taken aback by the univeristy demanding suilts for men and dresses for women at graduation. It's not just that women have to have larger wardrobes, we still actually forbid people to dress in a certain way.
Employment Agencies Melbourne — July 23, 2013
Seems like men have an easier job :)
Employment Agencies Melbourne
Tusconian — July 23, 2013
Gotta say, I don't think the person who made this graphic knows much about fashion or situational appropriateness. Who'd wear that dress to a funeral? Most weddings wouldn't call for a dress nearly that formal, and if it did, that men's suit would too casual and stick out like a sore thumb. What church would involve a men wearing suits and ties, but wouldn't have an issue with a sleeveless, above the knee, quite casual dress? There's a lot to be said for this societal construct, but I don't think this graphic says it very well at all.
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abbehhoward — September 5, 2013
Men's clothes are so boring and monotonous.
ivy michael — September 21, 2024
I believe gendered fashion rules are becoming outdated, and Sunday is the perfect day to break them. I enjoy vintage clothing stores experimenting with different styles, embracing both traditionally masculine and feminine pieces. Fashion should be about self-expression, and mixing silhouettes, colors, and fabrics allows me to create looks that feel authentically me.